DAVAO CITY – Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. condemned the attack against government soldiers by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Sumisip, Basilan on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Galvez, a former military general, described the incident as a “cowardly act perpetrated by lawless armed men who intend to derail the peace process that Basilan is now starting to enjoy.”
To deescalate the situation, Galvez said they are deploying all relevant peace mechanisms in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, the Joint Peace and Security Committee, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, and Joint Peace and Security Teams.
“These measures aim to de-escalate tensions on the ground and facilitate a swift and impartial investigation to establish the facts and circumstances of the incident,” he said.
Two soldiers were killed and 12 others were injured in the incident. Galvez condoled with the families of the deceased soldiers.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/22/2-soldiers-killed-in-gunfight-with-milf-in-basilan
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/23/army-condemns-ambush-of-troops-in-basilan